well, you all er...liked... Heala's hotpot, so I decided to keep it up. Now I want lots of lovely reviews! OR I'LL RANSOM THE CHAPTER! sorry if there was too much Finn/Heala in there. it just worked out like that. The P/A will come in later.

I begged and I pleaded, but I wasn't allowed the Storm Hawks rights. Aww well. No music suggestions.

A figure sneaked through the darkened corridor. Yes, he thought. It is near.

Stork had left the ship on auto pilot, so there was no one to stop the intruder from slipping to the main hall. What was he after?

"Finally,"he whispered, opening the door and –

"Hello?"

The figure froze, as Piper immediately went into a defensive position. "Who is it?" she flicked on the lights, and her eyes widened at what she saw.

Standing by the open fridge door, guiltily holding a half eaten bowl of strawberry shortcake, was Finn. He grinned awkwardly, perhaps sensing the punishment cleaning to come.

Piper pursed her lips. "Finn? Why are you sneaking about and eating shortcake?"

"Weeeell, would you like the good version that shows me as a smart and clever person or the true one?"

"The truth. Need you ask?"

He threw up his hands in exasperation. "Fine! I wanted to get Heala's shortcake before Aerrow and Junko, you can now put me on Cleaning Duty For Eternity, blah blah blah… happy?"

She smirked. "Yes, thank you. I didn't think to put you on for cleaning duty, but it's a good idea. We're arriving at Terra Gale tomorrow, so I suggest you get your beauty sleep."

"Can I finish the shortcake?" Finn asked hopefully. The only answer he got was a finger pointed in the direction of his room.

XxXxX

The next day, while the sun was rising, The Condor landed on Terra Gale. "Everyone out!" Stork ordered, waving them away, and then reclining in a chair with a slight smirk. "Ahh. Peace at last."

"NOO! MY CHEESE!" Heala chased after Radarr, attempting to recover her atmosian stilton from him. She skidded to a halt and threw a shiny, glowing object after him, which stuck him to the wall. "Haha! Look who's laughing now! Ha! Ha ha! Hahahaha!"

Aerrow, however, was examining the throwing object. "What the…is this a Spork?"

Heala snatched it back. "One of my first class, crystal enhanced throwing sporks, if you don't mind. They're also pretty good at dishing up salad, too." She answered proudly.

"S'cuse me, number one sharpshooter and ladies man coming through. Pardon me, ma'm." Finn had entered the house. Nudging Aerrow to the side, he prized the weapon out of the girl's hands. "Hmm. Dart style idea, powered by crystal," he chewed his lip absentmindedly as he balanced the Spork on one finger. "All in all, a good throwing weapon. Nice aim, too."

Heala grinned up at him. "Thank you, for both your newly revealed intelligence and kind comments. But they're nothing compared to my ride." She smirked again and strolled off to the skimmer runway, the rest of the Squadron following her.

Finn just stood there looking stunned. "Did she just pay me a complement?" he wondered. "Maybe I do stand a chance."

XxXxX

Wren gladly received them all, vigorously pumping their hands up and down so they were left wincing and rubbing their arms. Despite being glad to accept the crystals (passing some mysterious brown packages back), the Storm Hawks noticed, he looked a little wary of dealing with Heala, reminding them of Stork's warning. However, his granddaughter Dove didn't appear to be so cautious, as she chatted quite happily to the bounty hunter, both often looking in Finn's direction, before turning back to the other girl and laughing.

A pleased looking Heala trotted over with a giggling Dove on her tail. "Well guys, I just need to get my sister. We could then set out the following morning. Kapeesh?"

Aerrow nodded. "We need to stock up on supplies; crystals and stuff. We'll meet you back here at seven tonight." Agreeing, Heala waved her goodbyes and briskly trotted off to The Condor.

"Enjoy your sporks and Galean Red!" Dove called after the retreating figure. Aerrow arched an eyebrow. "Granpere makes Heala's sporks," she explained, correctly interpreting his silent inquiry. "And the Galean red?" she giggled. "She has quite ze fondness for our red and white wines."

"Isn't she a bit young?" Piper questioned. Dove just shrugged.

"Outside of ze law, outside of ze rules. She doesn't have a drinking problem, if zat is what you are zeenking. If she is too young to sample our wines, aren't you a leetle short to be a Sky knight squadron? She also goes a leetle starry eyed around our rebel ducks," she continued with a smirk, not noticing Finn's flushed cheeks.

"Yes, they are just adorable, aren't they?" They jumped as a Skimmer roared up behind them, Heala in the seat. "My room is just covered in pictures of them. Strong, silent type. Thank you, atmos, for creating the rebel ducks." She sighed happily, as Finn snorted.

"Nice, uh… ride," Junko put in. He was getting a little tired of being ignored by the author, who apologises profusely to Junko fans.

Heala woke up from her dreamy trance. "Huh? Oh, yeah. Stork built it," (who was looking mournfully at the scratches) "and I've never gone back from Heli-scooters since. I call it The Pig." The reason why was rather obvious, as the snout shaped head showed. "Well, I'd love to stay and chat about hot Gale guys, but I gotta' pick op my sis'." Her engine roared as she rocketed away.

"What?" questioned Finn as they all stood staring at him. "It wasn't that obvious, was it?"

Good or bad? you decide! Tell me with your lovely reviews. the Idea for Heala's adoration of the rebel ducks came from the fact they look like sky knight posterboys, and my own fangirlish urges.

Dark Ace; (with a shudder) you can say that again.

me; AIIEEEEE!! (Jumps on him) now you will be mine for ever! and I will love you and hug you and squeeze you...

DA; (groans) please, let me die...

he is so cute.

GWGE

XxXxX